On the morning of Tuesday, June 28th, I was devastated with the news that Nelson Cooper had been diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s Disease, or ALS. This message was one that broke my heart, as well as the hearts of those who have ever been around Nelson, or as I like to call him, ‘Nels’. Nelson and the rest of the Coopers have been a constant throughout my whole life. I can always count on them for love, encouragement, and never ending guidance in my faith. Their consistent companionship is something that I am eternally thankful for. So, you can imagine my heartache when this news came about. My heart breaks for Nels, who has effected so many people in ways that he probably does not even realize. I cried for Mrs. Mary Ann, who has never failed to speak truth to those who need it. I am sad for Jefferson, who has amazed me so many times with his ability to make the perfect pun. And I wept for Bailey, who is the best friend and sister in Christ I could ever ask for. This family has done so much good in the world that I found myself shouting ‘Why’ as I drove home attempting so sing ‘Good Good Father’ through broken sobs. I wanted to know why it had to be Nelson. I wanted to know why this awful disease exists. I wanted to know why this world was so broken. And it was in this tear-filled drive that I realized, God is not a God of why. He is a God of how. In our times of fear and trial, God does not have to answer anything, because he is the answer. He is how we are going to get through this. He is how our broken hearts are mended. He is how our lives have been redeemed. Despite my broken heart and wet eyes I was reminded that in everything, God is good. God calls us to live for him and to shout his praises, even on the bad days. Like Paul and Silas in prison in Acts 16, I will sing praises to God despite awful circumstances. After having this realization, all of my why’s turned into hows. How can I serve God in this? How can others be brought into the marvelous light that is salvation through this? And how is God going to move hearts for his glory? Now I wait with anticipation for God to answer these prayers and fill the hearts of those struggling with the love that Christ displayed on the cross.
“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” 1 Peter 2:24
